Issued by: The Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
PRESENTATION TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BY MINISTER Z. PALLO JORDAN ON THE NATIONAL PARKS AMENDMENT BILL, (B73-97) 28 OCTOBER 1997
Madam Speaker, this Bill deals with four rather diverse matters.
First of all it seeks to change the name of the National Parks Board. The Board has decided after a process of consultation, that its name should be changed to that of "South African National Parks". Clauses 1 and 2(a) of the Bill seek to give effect to this decision. There has always been some confusion among the public at large on whether the name National Parks Board refers to the organisation as a whole or only to the board members. The new name is intended to project the image of the entire organisation. A new representative board, which had been appointed in October 1995, decided on the new name in order to change the corporate image of the National Parks Board.
The second object of the Bill, Madam Speaker, is to facilitate the raising of loans by the Board. At present, under the National Parks Act, 1976 (Act No. 57 of 1976), the board requires the Minister's permission on an ad hoc basis to raise any loan. Clause 2(c) seeks to amend the Act to empower the board to borrow money without the Minister's consent, but subject to the total limit in respect of each year approved by the Minister on the conditions which he or she may determine with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance. The bard desires this amendment because it is committed to placing its affairs on a business footing and regards it as essential that it be free to raise loans to a maximum amount. During the Portfolio Committee stage some Honorable members expressed reservations about this proposal. However, Madam speaker, I do not think that there should be any reason for concern since the proposed provsion contains sufficient measures to ensure its wise applica- tion. In the first place, an upper limit can be set on the total loan amount for each year; secondly, the Minister can lay down appropriate conditions and tirdly the concurrence of the Minister of Finance is required. Furthermore the proposed amendment repre- sents existing practice, in that a similar provision in respect of a parastatal is contained in section 16 of the Eskom Act, 1987 (Act No. 40 of 1987).
The third object of the bill is reflected in clause 3. This clause seeks to empower the board to co-operate with persons who or organisations which have an interest in the activities of the board and are prepared to assist the board on a voluntary basis. Such persons and organisations will have to comply with certain require- ments which will be prescribed by regulation (see clause 5). These requirements relate to the conditions for co-operation and appoint- ment and the responsibilities, functions and benefits of, and the assignment of a name (such as "honorary ranger" or "friends of the park") to, such persons and organisations.
In conclusion, Madam Speaker, the fourth object of the Bill is to prescribe how certain confiscated weapons should be disposed of. The Act at present provides that weapons used in contravening any provision of the Act and declared forfeited, shall be delivered to the board. However, some weapons confiscated are armaments referred to in section 32(1) of the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1969 (Act No. 75 of 1969). These are armaments normally used for war, such as machine guns or machine rifles and which should be delivered to the South African Police Service for disposal. Clause 4 is intended to give effect to an appropriate amendment.
Madam Speaker, this short but important Bill is very much in the interest of National Parks and as sch will directly or indirectly also promote the interests of the environment as a whole. I therefore hope that the Bill will enjoy a speedy passage through Parliament.
I thak you.