Date: 13/11/2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: Zuma: Answers to questions in National Assembly
ORAL REPLIES TO QUESTIONS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT, JACOB ZUMA, 13 November 2003
QUESTION NUMBER: 25
DATE: 13 NOVEMBER 2003
Mr L Zita (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
How does our involvement in peace initiatives, particularly in Africa as exemplified by our role in the recent Burundi Peace accord signed between the transitional government of Burundi and Hutu rebel forces, contribute to the creation of a united, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa, and in particular to the fight against poverty in South Africa?
REPLY
Our primary objective, as Government, is to develop a better life for all citizens by creating wealth and providing security. South Africa's foreign policy objectives should, therefore, be an outward projection of the country's domestic imperatives.
Key among these foreign policy objectives are the promotion of democratisation and respect for human rights; and the prevention of conflict and promotion of peaceful resolution of disputes.
The achievement of these objectives is made all the more possible if we as South Africa anchor them within the African Union framework and its pre-eminent developmental programme, the New Partnership for Africa's Development.
It is quite clear that South Africa cannot be an island of prosperity and stability in a sea of poverty and conflict; and this realization compels us to place great emphasis on the resolution of conflicts on the continent. A peaceful and prosperous Africa would assist in advancing the ideals and strategic vision of Nepad, which assert that the global repositioning of our continent should be supported by sustained economic regeneration, in a stable and democratic political environment. South Africa benefits from supporting these ideals and vision.
On the other hand, regional instability has negative social and economic costs for every country in the region; South Africa included, and manifests itself in a host of new security threats, such as flows of illegal immigrants and refugees arising out of political instability and economic factors including poverty; illicit small arms; narcotics trafficking; the spread of communicable diseases, and trans-border crime.
It is therefore important for South Africa to continue playing its part in resolving the conflicts in Africa. This in turn will result in sustained investment and economic regeneration, in a stable and democratic political environment.
QUESTION NUMBER: 26
DATE: 13 NOVEMBER 2003
Mr J Durand (New NP) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the Government supports the initiative of the Tshwane Metropolitan Council to change Pretoria's name to Tshwane; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY
Honourable member, as we all know, we come from a divided past of conflict and conquest. Part of the legacy of that past, is that it was the victor in these conflicts who named the rivers, mountains and settlements of our country. Very often they named places after themselves to commemorate their victory. In most cases these places already had names given to them by the people who had been living there before. In all cases this naming or renaming was done without any consultation with all the people of the area.
We need to correct this aspect of our history. In uniting our diverse nation we need to ensure that the geographic names in our country are ones that unite us as opposed to divide us and that where name changes are controversial, that there are extensive consultations so that the will of the majority of the people can prevail.
I am informed that the Tshwane Metro's Mayoral Committee has recently resolved to begin a public participation process on the matter and that they have also commissioned a task research team of scholars and historians of different political persuasions, race and gender to examine the issues such as the origins of both names as well as assessing the impact on residents and investors.
The Government will support the wishes of the people of this Metro. If they want the name to remain as Pretoria we will support that. If they want it changed to Tshwane then we will support that as well.
QUESTION NUMBER: 27
DATE: 13 NOVEMBER 2003
Dr PWA Mulder (FF) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the Government will be prepared to use the opportunity to test the public's view on the death penalty as part of the general elections in 2004; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY
The Honourable Member would remember that Constitutional Court ruled that the imposition of the death penalty is incompatible with the right to life as enshrined in the Bill of Rights in our Constitution. The reason we have a Bill of Rights in our Constitution, which needs a special majority to be amended, is to protect the rights of all South Africans, including the marginalized and the minorities who cannot protect their rights adequately through the democratic process.
As the Constitutional Court said in its ruling on this matter "It is only if there is a willingness to protect the worst and the weakest amongst us that all of us can be secure that our own rights will be protected."
Therefore the answer is NO. The law and government policy on the matter are very clear.
QUESTION NUMBER: 28
DATE: 13 NOVEMBER 2003
Mr LVJ Ngculu (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
1. Whether, with reference to recent research findings in respect of HIV/AIDS projections, the Partnership Against Aids campaign which is spreading the message of prevention and responsible behaviour is yielding any positive results; if so, what are the relevant details?
2. What steps can be taken by ordinary South Africans to intensify the war on HIV/AIDS?
REPLY
Yes. Since the inception of our strategy of a Partnership Against AIDS, involving all sectors of our community ranging from business to youth, we have undoubtedly made some great strides towards curtailing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Surveys such as the annual Antenatal HIV and syphilis seroprevelance survey, reflect a consistent reduction over a period of four years of HIV prevalence amongst youth under twenty. This development needs to be celebrated. This evidence of a downward trend is further confirmed by the Human Sciences Research Council survey - indicating increasing condom use over the past 5 years. Both the UN AIDS and the World Health Organisation have confirmed that South Africa has entered a plateau phase with regard to the HIV epidemic. Once again the fruits of our successful partnership in fighting HIV/AIDS need to be celebrated.
We cannot though afford to stop and pat ourselves on the back. The fight must go on. On the same note, we cannot also afford to have others who instead of participating in the fight against AIDS, want to simply criticise. A lot has been done - a lot more needs to be done - and this can only be done through true partnership by all sectors.
Our unwavering resolve as Government to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic was again confirmed yesterday in this very house when Minister Manuel announced this Government's resolve to increase our financial commitment towards fighting this epidemic. South Africans must continue, as they have been doing, to join hands and partner with government to do everything they can, in whatever sector they belong, to fight all aspects of this disease.
Issued by: The Presidency
13 November 2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: Zuma: Answers to questions in National Assembly
ORAL REPLIES TO QUESTIONS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT, JACOB ZUMA, 13 November 2003
QUESTION NUMBER: 25
DATE: 13 NOVEMBER 2003
Mr L Zita (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
How does our involvement in peace initiatives, particularly in Africa as exemplified by our role in the recent Burundi Peace accord signed between the transitional government of Burundi and Hutu rebel forces, contribute to the creation of a united, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa, and in particular to the fight against poverty in South Africa?
REPLY
Our primary objective, as Government, is to develop a better life for all citizens by creating wealth and providing security. South Africa's foreign policy objectives should, therefore, be an outward projection of the country's domestic imperatives.
Key among these foreign policy objectives are the promotion of democratisation and respect for human rights; and the prevention of conflict and promotion of peaceful resolution of disputes.
The achievement of these objectives is made all the more possible if we as South Africa anchor them within the African Union framework and its pre-eminent developmental programme, the New Partnership for Africa's Development.
It is quite clear that South Africa cannot be an island of prosperity and stability in a sea of poverty and conflict; and this realization compels us to place great emphasis on the resolution of conflicts on the continent. A peaceful and prosperous Africa would assist in advancing the ideals and strategic vision of Nepad, which assert that the global repositioning of our continent should be supported by sustained economic regeneration, in a stable and democratic political environment. South Africa benefits from supporting these ideals and vision.
On the other hand, regional instability has negative social and economic costs for every country in the region; South Africa included, and manifests itself in a host of new security threats, such as flows of illegal immigrants and refugees arising out of political instability and economic factors including poverty; illicit small arms; narcotics trafficking; the spread of communicable diseases, and trans-border crime.
It is therefore important for South Africa to continue playing its part in resolving the conflicts in Africa. This in turn will result in sustained investment and economic regeneration, in a stable and democratic political environment.
QUESTION NUMBER: 26
DATE: 13 NOVEMBER 2003
Mr J Durand (New NP) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the Government supports the initiative of the Tshwane Metropolitan Council to change Pretoria's name to Tshwane; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY
Honourable member, as we all know, we come from a divided past of conflict and conquest. Part of the legacy of that past, is that it was the victor in these conflicts who named the rivers, mountains and settlements of our country. Very often they named places after themselves to commemorate their victory. In most cases these places already had names given to them by the people who had been living there before. In all cases this naming or renaming was done without any consultation with all the people of the area.
We need to correct this aspect of our history. In uniting our diverse nation we need to ensure that the geographic names in our country are ones that unite us as opposed to divide us and that where name changes are controversial, that there are extensive consultations so that the will of the majority of the people can prevail.
I am informed that the Tshwane Metro's Mayoral Committee has recently resolved to begin a public participation process on the matter and that they have also commissioned a task research team of scholars and historians of different political persuasions, race and gender to examine the issues such as the origins of both names as well as assessing the impact on residents and investors.
The Government will support the wishes of the people of this Metro. If they want the name to remain as Pretoria we will support that. If they want it changed to Tshwane then we will support that as well.
QUESTION NUMBER: 27
DATE: 13 NOVEMBER 2003
Dr PWA Mulder (FF) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the Government will be prepared to use the opportunity to test the public's view on the death penalty as part of the general elections in 2004; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY
The Honourable Member would remember that Constitutional Court ruled that the imposition of the death penalty is incompatible with the right to life as enshrined in the Bill of Rights in our Constitution. The reason we have a Bill of Rights in our Constitution, which needs a special majority to be amended, is to protect the rights of all South Africans, including the marginalized and the minorities who cannot protect their rights adequately through the democratic process.
As the Constitutional Court said in its ruling on this matter "It is only if there is a willingness to protect the worst and the weakest amongst us that all of us can be secure that our own rights will be protected."
Therefore the answer is NO. The law and government policy on the matter are very clear.
QUESTION NUMBER: 28
DATE: 13 NOVEMBER 2003
Mr LVJ Ngculu (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
1. Whether, with reference to recent research findings in respect of HIV/AIDS projections, the Partnership Against Aids campaign which is spreading the message of prevention and responsible behaviour is yielding any positive results; if so, what are the relevant details?
2. What steps can be taken by ordinary South Africans to intensify the war on HIV/AIDS?
REPLY
Yes. Since the inception of our strategy of a Partnership Against AIDS, involving all sectors of our community ranging from business to youth, we have undoubtedly made some great strides towards curtailing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Surveys such as the annual Antenatal HIV and syphilis seroprevelance survey, reflect a consistent reduction over a period of four years of HIV prevalence amongst youth under twenty. This development needs to be celebrated. This evidence of a downward trend is further confirmed by the Human Sciences Research Council survey - indicating increasing condom use over the past 5 years. Both the UN AIDS and the World Health Organisation have confirmed that South Africa has entered a plateau phase with regard to the HIV epidemic. Once again the fruits of our successful partnership in fighting HIV/AIDS need to be celebrated.
We cannot though afford to stop and pat ourselves on the back. The fight must go on. On the same note, we cannot also afford to have others who instead of participating in the fight against AIDS, want to simply criticise. A lot has been done - a lot more needs to be done - and this can only be done through true partnership by all sectors.
Our unwavering resolve as Government to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic was again confirmed yesterday in this very house when Minister Manuel announced this Government's resolve to increase our financial commitment towards fighting this epidemic. South Africans must continue, as they have been doing, to join hands and partner with government to do everything they can, in whatever sector they belong, to fight all aspects of this disease.
Issued by: The Presidency
13 November 2003
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