Issued by: Office of the President
PRESS RELEASE
CABINET MEETING - 5 MARCH 1997
The Cabinet held its regular fortnightly meeting in Tuynhuys, Cape Town. The meeting, chaired by the Executive Deputy President, received in the main reports from the various Cabinet Committees.
The Cabinet received a report on The Lund Committee (on Child and Family Support) that was established to investigate the affordability of the State Maintenance Grants and approved the introduction of a new child support benefit which would replace the existing parent and child maintenance grants. (More details are contained in the attached statement by the Minister.)
The Cabinet received a report on the different specification of certain numismatic coins and new designs for certain circulation and numismatic coins and approved these changes.
The Cabinet received a report on the transformation of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and noted that the core mandate of the DBSA has changed to facilitating wholesale investments in development orientated infrastructure including energy, water and sanitation, transport, telecommunications and other information infrastructures.
The Cabinet received a report that the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa has pledged its support for Cape Town's bid to host the 2004 Olympic Games and that South Africa and Algeria have signed a letter of intent regarding co-operation in the fields of sport and recreation.
The Cabinet received a report that the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology intends to launch a campaign in 1998 to promote public awareness and understanding of the contribution of science and technology to socio-economic development and approved that 1998 be declared a year of science and technology.
The Cabinet approved that Mr Ruell J Khoza be appointed as chairman of the Board of the Electricity Council (ESKOM).
The Cabinet approved that the following Bills be tabled in Parliament during the current session:
1. South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill, 1997
2. Water Amendment Bill, 1997
3. Land Restitution and Reform Laws Amendment Bill, 1997
4. Abolition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 1997
5. Divorce Courts Amendment Bill, 1997
6. Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 1997
7. Judicial Matters Amendment Bill, 1997
8. Defence Amendment Bill, 1997
More information would be available from the appropriate Ministry and/or Department.
Secretary of the Cabinet
5 March 1997