Issued by: Office of The President
The Cabinet met in Tuynhuys this morning, considering in the main reports from the Cabinet Committees.
The Cabinet approved the appointment of a Statistics Council by the Deputy President to advise the government on statistical matters.
The Cabinet approved that an amount of R25 million from the RDP-Fund be allocated to the National Urban Reconstruction and Housing Agency (NURCHA). The money would be used for bridging finance guarantees to financial institutions for the risk they take in making bridging finance available to small and medium-sized developers. It was noted that such an allocation through gearing, would produce R100 million for housing development.
The Cabinet received a report that poor weather and logistical problems have caused delays in the construction of the SANAE IV Antarctic Expedition Base and approved the utilisation of available funds to cover the escalation in the costs of the building project in accordance with relevant Treasury Instructions.
The Cabinet agreed with the policies contained in the White Papers on Science and Technology and on Arts, Culture and Heritage - All our Legacies, our Common Future and approved that they be tabled in Parliament.
The Cabinet received a report on the future of Robben Island and approved that the Island be developed as a World Heritage Site, National Monument and National Museum. The Cabinet also approved that the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology become the new controlling authority. The Department would take over from the Department of Correctional Services from 1 January 1997.
The Cabinet agreed that parliamentary approval be sought for South Africa's accession to the Convention of the Commonwealth Regional Health Community for East, Central and Southern Africa. The Cabinet also agreed that article 14 of the Convention be incorporated in the Municipal Law of South Africa.
Further information will be provided by or is obtainable from, the relevant Ministries or Departments
Secretary of the Cabinet 4 September 1996