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Date: 17/02/2004
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Answers to questions in National Council of Provinces


QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLIES BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT, JACOB ZUMA, IN THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES , 17 February 2004

QUESTION NUMBER: 1
DATE: 17 FEBRUARY 2004

Ms EN Lubindla to ask the Deputy President:

Whether, with reference to the Government's role in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda in promoting peace for the achievement of economic growth and social development in these countries, he will make a statement on the work already accomplished in this regard?

REPLY

As we celebrate the First Decade of Democracy in South Africa, we can be proud of the fact that we have contributed immensely and continue to contribute in the promotion of peace, security and stability in the African continent, especially in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda for the achievement of economic growth and social development.

South Africa became involved in the peace process in Burundi 1999. Although the situation in Burundi is very complex, we have achieved remarkable progress. Some the milestones have been:

* On 28 August 2000, after protracted negotiations, the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement was signed between the Government of Burundi and nineteen political parties. The Agreement has served as a guide to the peace process;
* On 1 November 2001, the meditation succeeded in securing the establishment of the Transitional Government of Burundi, paving the way for the return of the political exiles. South Africa provided the protection for the returning politicians and this VIP Protection Detach Unit is still on the ground in Bujumbura;
* In 2002, two Cease-fire Agreements were signed between the Government of Burundi and the three Armed Political Parties and Movements paving the way for the cessation of hostilities and for members of the armed groups to return to Bujumbura and joint the Transitional Government. The Cease-fire Agreement provided for the deployment of the African Union Mission in Burundi to monitor, verify and supervise the implementation of the agreements. South Africa has contributed troops towards the mission;
* Our Government, through the personal involvement of President Mbeki and myself, succeeded in encouraging the Transitional Government of Burundi and the main armed group to sign on 16 November 2003, a Comprehensive Political, Defence and Security Power Sharing Agreement. This Agreement paved the way for the main armed group to become part of the transitional government;
* Several meetings have been held with donor countries and the United Nations Security Council encouraging them to release funds in order to enable the Burundi government to start with the reconstruction and development programme, and the alleviation of poverty.

With regards to our sister country of Rwanda, we are truly encouraged by the progress they have made since the brutal and callous genocide of April 1994. We must all applaud the fact that as Rwanda commemorates this painful moment in April, the country will also be celebrating progress made in achieving peace and reconciliation. The extent of reconciliation between the Rwandese of Tutsi and Hutu ancestry was evident in the recent Presidential elections. We will continue to play whatever modest role we can play to assist Rwanda to cement its peace and stability, and achieve economic growth. We are pleased with the strong nature of political and economic relations that exist between our two countries.

As members are aware, the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) took a big step forward with completion of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue at Sun City. Subsequently, President Joseph Kabila promulgated the Transitional Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo and was sworn in as President of the new Transitional Government on 7 April 2003. The four Vice-Presidents of the new Transitional Government were inaugurated on 17 July 2003.

Our President, as part of his efforts to consolidate bilateral relations with the DRC, undertook a State Visit to the DRC on 13 and 14 January this year to consolidate bilateral relations with the DRC. On this occasion, the two Heads of State signed a General Co-operation Agreement, which makes provision for the establishment of a Joint Bilateral Commission between the two countries. The delegations of both South Africa and the DRC have agreed to co-operate in a wide range of areas.

QUESTION NUMBER: 2
DATE: 17 FEBRUARY 2004

Mr MI Mokoela to ask the Deputy President:

(1) Whether consideration has been given to extending the celebrations to mark the first ten years of democracy beyond the borders of South Africa; if not, why not; if so,

(2) Whether any steps have been or will be taken to encourage South Africans living abroad to participate in the celebrations to demonstrate that eradicating poverty and inequality is a practical possibility; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY

1. We have given extensive consideration to extending celebrations to mark the first ten years of democracy beyond the borders of South Africa.

The Inter Ministerial Task Team leading the preparations for the celebrations requested the Department of Foreign Affairs, last year, to direct all South African Missions abroad to plan for celebrations in each specific country. As with the celebrations planned inside the country, Missions were requested to plan the activities so as to reflect on the ten years with a view to celebrate; review progress; build a better and more united South Africa and renew friendships. In addition to this request to Missions, the Inter Ministerial Task Team requested that a specific focus be placed on possible celebrations in Africa. In this regard the Department of Foreign Affairs is in the process of identifying 3 or 4 countries on the continent where these celebrations can be focused.

We have received recent reports that a range of South African Missions Abroad are in the process of finalising plans for celebrations in their host countries or indeed have already completed parts of these plans - such as the South Africa Solidarity Conference held in London, United Kingdom in October 2003.

2. South African missions abroad maintain active links with South African living in their countries of accreditation. The missions have however been urged to step up this engagement by reaching out even more during this watershed year. We also urge South African citizens abroad to take the initiative and become part of the celebrations of our ten years of democracy.

QUESTION NUMBER: 3
DATE: 17 FEBRUARY 2004

Mr MA Sulliman to ask the Deputy President:

(3) (a) What total amount has been allocated in respect of the Government's drought relief programme and (b) and how will this amount be allocated to each province;

(4) Whether it is the Government's intention that farm workers and their families are to derive benefit from the implementation of this drought relief programme; if so, what mechanisms or plans are in place to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the programme to ensure that these benefits indeed accrue to farm workers and other intended beneficiaries?

REPLY

(1) Government is extremely concerned about the devastating drought affecting so many areas of our country.

The Inter-ministerial Committee on Disaster Management, consisting of the Ministers of Provincial and Local Government, Finance, Social Development, Agriculture and Land Affairs, Water and Forestry, Health and Housing is meeting fortnightly to evaluate the conditions on the ground and the implementation of government strategies to deal with the drought. This committee reports directly to Cabinet. In addition to receiving reports on the situation, Ministers have also been conducting their own visits to the affected areas to see the conditions for themselves.

Thirty-eight areas in the affected Provinces have been declared drought disaster areas. This enables the Department of Social Development to access funding through the Disaster Relief Fund Board in order to assist the victims of the drought.

In addition, in October 2003 government made available an amount of one hundred and ninety million, sixty-seven thousand specifically for the drought. This was in addition to funds that were already allocated for the same purpose.

Due to the intensification of this drought, Cabinet, in January of this year, has approved a further allocation. These funds will be allocated to the Department of Health; Social Development; Agriculture and Water Affairs and Forestry.

The Minister of Finance will give more details tomorrow in the National Assembly when he tables the Special Drought Relief Appropriation Bill.

(2) It is Government's intention that farm workers and their families benefit from the implementation of this drought relief programme. The Department of Social Development has been allocated funds for this purpose. They will be working with officials in the provinces, affected municipalities and organized agriculture to identify beneficiaries and to ensure that they are given the necessary assistance.

QUESTION NUMBER: 4
DATE: 17 FEBRUARY 2004

Ms C Nkuna to ask the Deputy President:

(1) What progress has been made in implementing the government's HIV/AIDS strategy;

(2) Whether he will make a statement on the need for a co-ordinated response by Government and other sectors of society in combating the threat posed to our development goals by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other chronic illnesses?

REPLY

(1) In November last year, during Questions in the National Assembly, I expressed our satisfaction with the progress that has been made since the inception of the Comprehensive Plan for Management, Care and Treatment of HIV and AIDS. . Even today I want to assert that indeed we are making good progress in our fight against the pandemic.

As we all know, there is still no cure for HIV and AIDS. Our strategy therefore does not just deal with treatment but also prevention; care and support; human and legal rights issues as well as research, monitoring and surveillance.

I am encouraged about the increased levels of awareness on HIV and AIDS. This has resulted in the stabilisation in the HIV rate nationally. The most recent antenatal survey conducted by the Department has shown that in the category of youth under 20 years, the infection rate has declined from 22% to 15%.

As far as the research, monitoring and surveillance component, increased funds have been allocated to furthering our understanding of the disease and towards finding a vaccine.

With regards to the supply of antiretrovirals, progress is being made in the implementation of the programme announced in November last year, of establishing one service point for antiretrovirals (ARVs) in each health district within a year and one service point within each local municipality within 5 years. In particular the tenders for the purchase of the ARVs, the Patient Information System and for the training of AIDS councillors have been put out, the Department has completed accrediting the service points for the distribution of the ARVs across the country. The Department will be embarking on a major communication strategy in March to inform the public of these developments.

(2) Our achievements could not have been attained without the partnerships between Government and different sectors of the community. The South African National Aids Council has been restructured and was relaunched last year with an increase in the number of sectors represented. The different sectors are currently finalizing their reports. A workshop will be held at the end of the month where a consolidated report will be presented.

As I have stated before, we cannot effectively combat, in particular, the threat posed by HIV and AIDS without effective partnerships between government and civil society. As Government we encourage constructive feedback and participation by all in the fight against this pandemic. We cannot afford to have people simply standing on the sidelines doing nothing but criticizing. We need to move forward, working together.

Issued by: The Presidency
17 February 2004

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